Sculptural construction system

ABSTRACT

A construction set is made up of parts having biomorphic shapes, parts having geometric shapes and parts with shapes resembling whole or parts of living things. The parts have provisions for attachment to one an other that allow maximum freedom of linear and angular relationships between mating parts, and have instructions for use allowing assembly of objects that are freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is a serious tool for the development, demonstration and education of visual art forms such as symbolic insignia, ornaments, sculpture, animal and human figures.

The tool is configured as a construction set where the shape of the parts, provisions for attachment of one part to another and instructions of use play critical roles in providing the user complete freedom to express their imagination and creativity during assembly of a visual art object. The shape of the parts fall into the three categories: parts having biomorphic shapes, parts having geometric shapes and parts having identifiable biological shapes. The provisions for attaching one part to another also provides the user increased freedom in positioning the intersection between mating parts and varying lateral and the angular position between mating parts. Furthermore, the instructions encourage users to begin assembly of a model without a specific goal or plan and to make subsequent assembly choices based on creativity and imagination rather than replication of a particular form or structure.

2. Description of the Prior art

Construction sets disclosed in the patent art are primarily of four types: 1. closed architectural structures, 2. open architectural, mechanical and vehicular models, 3. animal or human action figures and 4. symbols, ornaments and sculptural objects.

The patent granted to Magnus et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,278,327, discloses a construction set of the first type for assembling closed architectural structures. The individual parts of Mangus et al. are flat and exhibit a geometric shape made up largely of rectangles. Mangus et al. further teaches slots (mortise) that are dimensioned to fit over the width dimension of the parts. Magnus et al. is limited in the shape of parts by disclosing only geometric shapes, offering no freedom of positioning the intersection between mating parts beyond the location of slots in both parts, no freedom of angular position between mating parts beyond a purely orthogonal position and teaches beginning assembly with a specific assembly goal or plan.

The patent granted to Kay, U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,422, discloses a construction set of the second type for assembling open structures or machines. Like Mangus et al. the individual parts of Kay are flat and exhibit geometric shapes. However, the parts are longer and exhibit more circular shapes than Mangus et al. Kay further teaches slots that are dimensioned to fit over the width dimension of the parts. Kay also has a very narrow spectrum of possible end results because it teaches parts limited to geometric shapes, offering no freedom of positioning the intersection between mating parts beyond the location of slots in both parts, no freedom of angular position between mating parts beyond a purely orthogonal position and teaches beginning assembly with a specific assembly goal or plan.

The patent to Appleman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,887, discloses a construction set of the third type for assembly of human action figures. Appleman, discloses alternative embodiments having differently designed parts to make building members, figures such as simulated humans, animals or geometric objects and decorative designs of construction set types 1, 2 and 4 listed above. Absent is a teaching of one construction set for making a combination of the alternative embodiments. The parts of the construction set of Appleman appear to be flat, however, there is a groove in the flat surface of each part mating to a protrusion in the open slot of the mating parts that also limits the degree of lateral and angular positioning between mating parts. Appleman is very limited in the range of models that can be assembled because it teaches parts that are specific to one human or animal figure.

The patent granted to Reitzel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,124 discloses a construction set of the fourth type for assembling art objects. Ritzel et al. employs flat parts having three sides and is exemplary of patents to others having geometrical shaped parts of four, five and six sides as well as circular shaped parts. Reitzel et al. further teaches slots that are smaller in width than the thickness of the parts thereby teaching a gripping action between mating parts. Rietzel et al. teaches parts that are limited to one geometric shape also offering no freedom of positioning the intersection between mating parts beyond the location of slots in both parts, no freedom of angular position between mating parts beyond a purely orthogonal position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above mentioned prior art in an effort to provide the user with a serious tool for the assembly of art objects guided by the creativity and imagination of the user.

It is an objective of the invention to present the user with a variety of parts that stimulate the imagination to explore the limits of what may be assembled as an art object without the parts themselves limiting the thought process to a particular type of art object.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide parts that are shaped to be abstract but resembling biological or living things. Such parts only take on a single identity by the choice of mating parts and lateral and angular orientation of the mating parts.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide for assembly of parts allowing extended freedom of lateral and angular positioning of parts with a minimum number of attachment discontinuities in the outline of the parts.

It is a further objective of the present invention to add to the flexibility of the construction set by providing parts having a geometric shape, incorporating the above mentioned structural and assembly provisions.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide additional flexibility with identifiable biological parts that add shapes that may be difficult to synthesize by combination of the bimorphic or geometric parts mentioned above. These parts may include but are not limited to whole animals, plants, machine or building parts, vehicles, astronomical objects, holiday decorations or people including parts thereof.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a construction set that can be made in a large range of sizes, weights, flexibilities, uses, costs and ability to withstand the challenges presented by a variety of environments.

It is a further objective to provide some means of communication to the user that highlights the assembly of art objects that is guided by the imagination and creativity without focus on a goal or plan for specific type of object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and additional advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description studied in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is am example of an art part assembled with the parts and freedom of lateral and angular position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are isometric views illustrating the properties of biomorphic shaped parts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the bimorphic shaped parts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the geometric shaped parts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the identifiable biological parts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c and 6 d illustrates the freedom of locating the intersection of mating parts as well as the flexibility of the lateral and angular position between mating parts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the instructions for use of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention will be explained by way of the preferred embodiment, shown in the Figures. Additional embodiments will be described in this section and though not shown in the drawings will be understood by one of ordinary skill and subsequently read into the meets and bounds of the claims.

FIG. 1, illustrates an art object assembled with geometric shaped part 412 as a base, a un-slotted portion of the periphery of biomorphic shaped part 304 is inserted in an internal slot 412S of geometric part 412 forming a vertical stem of art object 101. Parts 304 and 412 are held in angular relation with each other by frictional forces between the slot 412S of part 412 and the flat surfaces of part 304. This frictional force is achieved by manufacture of the thickness of all parts exceeding the width of all slots. The un-slotted periphery of biomorphic shaped part 317 is inserted into slot 304S of biomorphic shaped part 304. The slot 302S of biomorphic shaped part 302 is fully inserted into the slot 317S1 of biomorphic shaped part 317 and the periphery of the opposite end of part 317 is inserted into slot 303S of biomorphic shaped part 303. Slot 307S of biomorphic shaped part is positioned over an un-slotted periphery of biomorphic shaped part 317 forming a secondary stem and lastly geometric shaped part 402 is inserted into slot 307S2 of bimorphic shaped part 307. In addition to an assembled model only achievable by the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the parts so assembled may now be repositioned laterally and angularly to achieve additional affects further expressing the innovation and creativity of the user. For instance the relationship of the planes of the flat surfaces of parts 317 and 412 may be adjusted to tilt further upward or to be parallel by angularly positioning part 304 in slot 412S of geometric part 412. Biomorphic parts 302, 304 and 303 that are spaced somewhat equidistantly can be moved in lateral position by sliding the periphery of part 317 in slot 304S bringing either part 302 or part 303 in closer lateral relationship to part 304. Additionally, parts 302 and 303 which are shown as having somewhat parallel flat surfaces can have grossly different angular relationships by rotating slot 303S about the flat surfaces of part 317 to an angular or even an orthogonal relationship with part 302.

FIG. 2 a, illustrates biomorphic shaped part 317 which by itself is abstract and does not closely resemble anything specific. FIG. 2 b, illustrates part 317 in combination with identifiable biological part 505 making biomorphic part 317 resemble the leg of a frog. FIG. 2 c, illustrates biomorphic part 317 in combination with other biomorphic parts 313, two biomorphic parts 304 as well as geometric shaped parts 405 and 411 resulting an object that resembles a deer or a moose. FIG. 2 d, illustrates biomorphic part 317 in combination with biomorphic shaped part 312 and biomorphic part 302 where biomorphic part 317 returns to an abstract part and resembles nothing.

FIG. 3, illustrates biomorphic shaped parts 301 to 318 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Biomorphic shaped parts 301 to 318 look like they could be of biological origin but do not form a whole identifiable biological entity or an identifiable part of a biological entity. Some of the characteristics of biomorphic shaped parts 301 to 318 are a lack of symmetry about any axis or having complex shapes of alternating convex and concave curves of varying radii. Informal names given to shapes like parts 301, 305 to 308, 310 to 312 and 315 to 318 are ink blots, while 302 to 304 can be described as wings and 308, 309, 313 and 214 are sometimes called squiggles or curly-cues.

FIG. 4 illustrates geometric shaped parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention: parts 401 to 411 and 413 have shapes made up of whole or partial circles. Parts 412 approximates the shape of a triangle.

FIG. 5 illustrates identifiable biological shaped parts included in the preferred embodiment of the present invention: part 501 is a head, part 502 is a characterization of the sun with a face, part 503 is a hand and arm, part 504 is a hand, part 505 is a foot, part 506 is the body and head of a bird.

FIG. 6 a illustrates the flexibility of the provisions of attachment between parts of the present invention where slot 317S of part 317 is slipped into slot 302S of part 302. FIG. 6 b further illustrates the flexibility of the provisions of attachment between parts of the present invention where the periphery of part 304 is slipped into internal slot 412S of part 412. FIG. 6 c and 6 d illustrates the flexibility of the provisions of attachment between parts of the present invention when a part having its periphery slipped into slot 316A of part 316 can assume a nearly horizontal position in FIG. 6 c and be rotated within slot 316A to a nearly vertical position in FIG. 6 d.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the steps to achieving maximum results from the use of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Step 701 begins the assembly process with the user having no goal or plan in mind. In Step 702 the user picks up two parts at random with at least one of the two parts having a slot providing for attachment. In Step 703 the user inserts the periphery or slot of the first part into the slot of the second part. Steps 704 and 705 continue the assembly process by adding an additional part to the model. In Step 706 the user is free to adjust the position of the intersection of the parts that are assembled in the model to achieve alternative visual affects. In Step 707 the user decides if the model is pleasing at this point in which case the assembly proceeds to Step 708 or if the model could use the addition of another part in which case the assembly proceeds to step 704. At step 708 the user may choose to enjoy further manipulation of the model or placing it on display.

Additional embodiments are envisioned for the present invention. They include but are not limited to having parts that are ridged, flexible, deformable inflated or any combination of these properties. Coloring of the parts may be of solid colors, shaded colors, monochromatic colors, transparent, translucent or having patterns.

Still more embodiments are envisioned where only the outer periphery or part thereof and areas around slots are maintained at the dimension called the thickness. Such parts could have areas that are either thicker or thinner than the thickness or contours making them truly three dimensional except for the small periphery area used for attachment to adjoining parts.

Further embodiments employ different materials either naturally occurring for example but not limited to wood or ice, synthetic for example but not limited to solid or foamed plastics, edible for example but not limited to cookies or candy.

Still other embodiments are art objects that may have a specific use or application beyond a visual representation for example but not limited to lamps or tables or art objects of other type or support structures such as but not limited to mobiles, wheeled or motorized structures or wind powered whirligigs. Various forms of illumination, motion and interaction with the user are also envisioned.

Although the terms and definitions used in the specification are intended to be read into the claims they are not intended to limit the meets and bounds of the claims presented here below in any way whatsoever. 

1. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user comprising: one or more first parts having a first shape, one or more second parts having a second shape, wherein the first parts have provisions of attachment to the second parts, wherein the shape of the first parts is a biomorphic shape that is both abstract and resembles whole or parts of biological or living things, wherein the first and second parts are for assembly together in any order or orientation guided only by the imagination and creativity of the user.
 2. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user of claim 1 further comprising: wherein the provisions of attachment allows a first part of the plurality of parts to be attached at any angle in two dimensions to a second part of the plurality of parts.
 3. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user of claim 1 further comprising: wherein the provisions of attachment allows the angular positioning of a third part at any angle within three dimensions to the first part when one or more parts is attached in between the first part and the third part of the plurality of parts.
 4. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user of claim 1 further comprising: wherein the attachment provisions of the first part connects directly to the periphery of the second part.
 5. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user of claim 2 further comprising: wherein the provisions of attachment allows the angular positioning of a third part at any angle within three dimensions to the first part when one or more parts is attached in between the first part and the third part of the plurality of parts.
 6. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user of claim 2 further comprising: wherein the attachment provisions of the first part connects directly to the periphery of the second part.
 7. A construction set for making objects that can be freely formed by the imagination and creativity of the user of claim 3 further comprising: wherein the attachment provisions of the first part connects directly to the periphery of the second part.
 8. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects comprising: one or more first parts having a first shape, one or more second parts having a second shape, wherein the one or more first parts and the one or more second parts have a front surface and a parallel back surface separated by a thickness dimension, wherein each of the one or more first parts and the one or more second parts have a provisions for attachment to each of the one or more first parts and one or more second parts, wherein the attachment provisions of the first part is a slot passing through at least one surface of the first part, wherein the slot has a width at some point that is dimensioned to grip the periphery of either the first part or the second part.
 9. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 8. further comprising: wherein the attachment provisions of the second part comprise the smooth, periphery of the part.
 10. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 8. further comprising: an instruction for use of the set having a textural, illustrative or any other form of communication to the user that the assembly of the first parts and second parts may be in any order, slot to slot, slot to part periphery or at any angular relationship between parts.
 11. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 9. further comprising: an instruction for use of the set having a textural, illustrative or any other form of communication to the user that the assembly of the first parts and second parts may be in any order, slot to slot, slot to part periphery or at any angular relationship between parts.
 12. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 8. further comprising: the first shape comprises a plurality of convex curved corners, the plurality of convex curved corners being connected by a plurality of curved surfaces.
 13. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 9. further comprising: the first shape comprises a plurality of convex curved corners, the plurality of convex curved corners being connected by a plurality of curved surfaces.
 14. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 10. further comprising: the first shape comprises a plurality of convex curved corners, the plurality of convex curved corners being connected by a plurality of curved surfaces.
 15. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 11. further comprising: the first shape comprises a plurality of convex curved corners, the plurality of convex curved corners being connected by a plurality of curved surfaces.
 16. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 8. further comprising: the second shape comprises a geometric shape consisting of but not limited to whole or truncated: circles, ovals, hyperbolas, parabolas, triangles and polygons.
 17. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 9. further comprising: the second shape comprises a geometric shape consisting of but not limited to whole or truncated: circles, ovals, hyperbolas, parabolas, triangles and polygons.
 18. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 10. further comprising: the second shape comprises a geometric shape consisting of but not limited to whole or truncated: circles, ovals, hyperbolas, parabolas, triangles and polygons.
 19. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects of claim
 11. further comprising: the second shape comprises a geometric shape consisting of but not limited to whole or truncated: circles, ovals, hyperbolas, parabolas, triangles and polygons.
 20. A construction set providing a flexible structure for assembling objects comprising: one or more first parts having a first shape, one or more second parts having a second shape one or more third parts having a third shape, wherein the one or more first parts and the one or more second parts have a front surface and a parallel back surface separated by a thickness dimension, wherein each of the one or more first parts and the one or more second parts have a provisions of attachment to each of the one or more first parts and one or more second parts, wherein the attachment provisions of the first part is a slot passing through at least one surface of the first part, wherein the slot has a width at some point that is dimensioned to grip the periphery of either the first part or the second part, wherein the attachment provisions of the second part comprises the smooth, periphery of the part, an instruction for use of the set having a textural, illustrative or any other form of communication to the user that the assembly of the first parts and second parts may be in any order, slot to slot, slot to part periphery or at any angular relationship between parts, the first shape comprises a plurality of convex curved corners, the plurality of convex curved corners being connected by a plurality of curved surfaces, the second shape comprises a geometric shape consisting of but not limited to whole or truncated: circles, ovals, hyperbolas, parabolas, triangles and polygons, the third shape comprises an identifiable biological shape consisting of but not limited to whole or truncated, biological living things. 